Experience of nurses who work with children with palliative care needs: A mixed-method systematic review

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maha Atout

AbstractObjectiveThe importance of palliative care education for nurses has been recognized worldwide. The study aims to explore the experiences of nurses working with children with palliative care needs and to identify any related educational needs.MethodsThe electronic databases of CINAHL, Cochrane, PubMed, OVID, Social Care Online, Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest were searched for the period 2000–2015.ResultsFinding revealed that working with children with palliative care needs is an emotionally struggling job for nurses, especially when they try to manage the transition of pediatric patients from curative to palliative care. Staffing level and time constraints comprise a major obstacle in pediatric palliative care. Focusing on invasive treatment and technology in spite of the feelings that it will not improve patients' health status intensifies the feeling of guilt and helplessness for nurses. Finally, nurses asserted the importance of receiving pediatric palliative care education, especially how to communicate with children with palliative care needs and their families.Significance of resultsFurther research is recommended with regard to nurses' experience in communication with children with palliative care needs. Nursing education in pediatric palliative care is significantly important, especially how to communicate with children with palliative care needs and their families.

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregorio Zuniga-Villanueva ◽  
Jose Luis Ramirez-GarciaLuna ◽  
Kevin Weingarten

Background: Lack of education and training in palliative care has been described to be one of the most important barriers to pediatric palliative care implementation. Objective: To examine what factors determine the degree of knowledge and level of comfort Mexican pediatricians have providing pediatric palliative care. Methods: A questionnaire that assessed palliative care concepts was developed and applied online to Mexican pediatricians, both generalists and specialists. Results: A total of 242 pediatricians responded. The majority had not received palliative care education (92.6%) and felt uncomfortable discussing palliative needs with patients and families (92.1%). The mean score of the questionnaire was 6.8 (±1.4) of 10 correct answers. Knowledge in palliative care was associated with exposure to oncologic patients ( P = .01) and previous palliative care education ( P = .02) but inversely related to the pediatrician’s age ( P = .01). Comfort addressing patient’s palliative care needs was associated with knowledge in palliative care ( P < .01), exposure to oncologic patients ( P = .03), and previous education in palliative care ( P = .02). Conclusions: Although Mexican pediatricians have basic knowledge of palliative care concepts, they do not feel comfortable addressing palliative care needs, suggesting that the main barrier for implementing palliative care is not the lack of knowledge but rather feeling uncomfortable when addressing these issues with patients and families. Educational programs should incorporate strategies that could help physicians develop comfort in approaching palliative care patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
In Gyu Song ◽  
Seung Yeon Kwon ◽  
Yoon Jung Chang ◽  
Min Sun Kim ◽  
Sung Hoon Jeong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Although the importance of palliative care in pediatric patients has been emphasized, many health care providers have difficulty determining when patients should be referred to the palliative care team. The Paediatric Palliative Screening Scale (PaPaS) was developed as a tool for screening pediatric patients for palliative care needs. The study aimed to evaluate the PaPaS as a reliable tool for primary care clinicians unfamiliar with palliative care. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of patients referred to the pediatric palliative care teams in two tertiary hospitals in the Republic of Korea between July 2018 and October 2019. Results The primary clinical and pediatric palliative care teams assessed the PaPaS scores of 109 patients, and both teams reported a good agreement for the sum of the PaPaS score. Furthermore, the PaPaS scores correlated with those obtained using the Lansky performance scale. Although the mean PaPaS score was higher in the pediatric palliative care team, the scores were higher than the cut-off score for referral in both groups. Conclusion The PaPaS can be a useful tool for primary care clinicians to assess the palliative care needs of patients and their families.


Author(s):  
Pam Malloy ◽  
Andra Davis

Educating nursing students, clinicians, faculty, and researchers in palliative care is needed tremendously in this era of an aging population and the development of new technological ways of extending the lives of those with complex illness and/or injury. With new evidence-based resources being developed to enhance education, including guidelines, competencies, videos, standards, and procedures, educators have a plethora of materials to promote and disseminate palliative care education. Nurses, who represent the largest healthcare profession in the nation, can only practice and teach what they know. Because nurses spend more time at the bedside and out in the community consulting and providing care to those who are seriously ill and to their families, it is vital they be educated to provide competent and compassionate care to those who are most vulnerable.


2014 ◽  
Vol 81 (5) ◽  
pp. 455-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magatha Sneha Latha ◽  
Ram Prakash Thirugnanasambandam ◽  
Narayanan Balakrishnan ◽  
Haree Shankar Meghanathan ◽  
Aravind Moorthy ◽  
...  

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 252-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Korzeniewska-Eksterowicz ◽  
Bogna Kȩdzierska ◽  
MƗSgorzata Cynker-McCarthy ◽  
Łukasz Przysło ◽  
MƗSgorzata Stolarska ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 67 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 5-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shirley Otis-Green ◽  
Eunice Yang ◽  
Lisa Lynne

Background: Psychologists, social workers, and spiritual care professionals report inadequate preparation to maximize their effectiveness in advocating for institutional reform to meet oncology patients' diverse bio-psychosocial-spiritual and cultural needs. This article provides an overview of the ACE Project, a National Cancer Institute, 5 year, R25-funded transdisciplinary palliative care education program designed to enhance the advocacy and leadership skills of 301 competitively selected psycho-oncology professionals. Methods: ACE Project participants identified an institutional goal, refined their goals during the course and received mentorship and support throughout the subsequent year. Participants were invited to return to a Reunion Conference in year five to report on their activities, network, and share the results of their change efforts. A subset of 28 ACE Project participants contributed to this OMEGA special issue. Results: Participants' goals primarily focused on strategies to improve clinical care through program development and improvements in palliative care education within their institutions. Conclusions: The results of this transdisciplinary leadership skills-building program for psycho-oncology professionals affirm the feasibility and perceived need for the program. See the ACE Project website ( http://www.cityofhope.org/education/health-professional-education/nursing-education/ACE-project/Pages/default.aspx ) for additional program information.


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